Netflix announced Thursday that it has signed an exclusive multi-picture distribution deal with Studio Ponoc, the Japanese animation house billed as the heir to Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s famed Studio Ghibli. That deal means Netflix plans to distribute Ponoc’s upcoming anime film The imaginary around the world later this year, following the film’s exclusive Japanese premiere.
Studio Ponoc, founded by Ghibli vet Yoshiaki Nishimura shortly after Studio Ghibli announced an impending closure in 2014, makes animated films and shorts in a visual and narrative style very similar to Ghibli’s. The first feature film, the one from 2017 Mary and the Witches’ Flower, is about as close to a Miyazaki film as anyone has ever gotten without being Miyazaki himself. Ponoc’s follow-up, the 2018 short compilation Humble heroeswas more experimental and conveyed the feeling of a studio searching for its own identity.
Since then, Studio Ponoc has been largely silent, apart from producing the beautiful short animated film “Tomorrow’s Leaves” inspired by the Olympic Games and appearing animation assistant credits on several anime films, including Mamoru Hosoda’s hit Mirai and Miyazaki’s own feature film The boy and the heron.
Netflix’s press release states that the platform will become “the exclusive streaming platform for upcoming Studio Ponoc films.” That deal currently does not include Mary and the Witches’ Flower or Humble heroesboth of which were previously streamed on Netflix, and are now available for digital rental via a variety of services.
Film by Studio Ponoc The imaginary, based on a 2014 novel by British author AF Harrold, is an adventure about a young girl and her imaginary friend, and about the world and life cycles of imaginary friends. It is directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, who helmed ‘Tomorrow’s Leaves’ and the short film ‘Life Ain’t Gonna Lose’. Humble heroes. Here is the description from Netflix:
Studio Ponocs The imaginary portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion Rudger. Their fantastic adventures, launched from her attic, lead them to discover a magical world of creatures and places never seen before, until a sinister force threatens to destroy their imaginary world and the friendship within it. Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose (Ghostly away), The imaginary is an unforgettable adventure full of love, loss and the healing power of imagination.
The Imaginary is currently scheduled for a Japanese release on December 15.